Optimization of a Six-Strand Continuous Casting Tundish: Industrial Measurements and Numerical Investigation of the Tundish Modifications

• Published in: Metallurgical and materials transactions. B, Process metallurgy and materials processing science Vol. 43; no. 4; pp. 856 - 868
• Main Authors: Merder, Tomasz, Warzecha, Marek
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.08.2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Baffles; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Continuous casting; Exact sciences and technology; Industrial engineering; Industrial plants; Iron and steel plants; Manufacturing engineering; Materials Science; Mathematical models; Metallic Materials; Metallurgy; Metals. Metallurgy; Nanotechnology; Production of metals; Steel production; Structural Materials; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Tundishes; Residence Time Distribution; Nonmetallic Inclusion; Liquid Steel; Steel Flow; Steel Grade; Tundish; Continuous casting; Foundry
• ISSN: 1073-5615; 1543-1916
• DOI: 10.1007/s11663-012-9662-2

The main differences in the transient zone extent between the individual strands for the former industrial six-strand tundish configuration is the basis for undertaking this study. The aim this study was to improve the casting conditions by proposing the optimal equipment of the tundish working space. For economic reasons, only the variants with different baffles configurations were considered. It was also dictated by the simplicity of construction and the possibility of its implementation by the base operating steel mill. In the current study, industrial plant measurements and mathematical modeling were used. Industrial experimental data were used to diagnose the current state of the industrial tundish and then validate the numerical simulations. After this, the influence of different baffle configurations installed in the tundish on the steel flow characteristic was modeled mathematically. Residence time distribution (RTD) curves are plotted, and individual flow shares for the investigated tundish were estimated based on the curves. Finally, the industrial plant was rebuilt according to the numerical results and additional plant measurements were performed. A result of the appearance of the baffles in the tundish working space was the reduction of the transient zone extent. The results indicate the increasing share of the dispersed plug flow and a decreasing share of the dead volume flow, with a practically unchanging share of well-mixed volume flow in the modified tundish.